consumed by thoughts of billy and rebecca's first night sleeping together in the same bed...
...and how vulnerable this moment would be, for him especially. he'd usually decline it because of his sleeping struggles (that vet PTSD got h a n d s).
it would be an adjustment for the both of them. billy boy figdets and mumbles in his sleep a lot. which makes him self-conscious, he doesn't like the idea of anyone seeing him in this state. while he has no issues with physical proximity while he's awake, this specific brand of intimacy doesn't come easy to him.
once they get used to each other, he's surprised by how peaceful and heavy her sleep is when he stays the night, and how clingy rebecca can get despite his fidgeting. she doesn't stir easily, which is a godsend because he'd feel bad waking her up with his constant moving.
she's not really that phased by his sleeptalking or, well...the sweating. she shrugs it off when he apologizes in the morning as they change the sheets, telling him they'll just have to do the laundry more often.
it takes a bit of time for him to loosen up, but the comfort of having her near, the warmth of her arms anchoring him in place is definitely something he could get used to.
what can i say i'm a sucker for "big guy haunted by the horrors spinning around in the embrace of his out cold, petite gf" dynamic 😩